Prince Estifanos Matewos: A Brief Biography
His Imperial Highness Prince Estifanos Matewos (Ahmaric: የልዑል እስጢፋኖስ ማቴዎስ)
ANCESTRAL ORGINS
Born on 25 December 1995 in the highlands of Shewa, Ethiopia, the ancient heartland of emperors and saints, His Majesty carries within him the living flame of Ethiopia’s divine heritage. Shewa, cradle of the Amhara people, has long been the spiritual and political axis of the Ethiopian Empire, where faith and kingship intertwine beneath the shadow of sacred mountains.
A direct descendant of Emperor Menelik II, the great architect of modern Ethiopia and scion of the Solomonic Dynasty, Prince Estifanos’s lineage reaches back through the ages to King Solomon of Israel and the Queen of Sheba (Makeda), forming an unbroken chain that links Ethiopia to the wisdom and glory of antiquity.
Through his grandmother, Princess Bedriya Iyasu, granddaughter of King Mohammed Ali of Wollo, and descendant of Fatima and Al-Hussain ibn Ali (May Allah be pleased with them), Prince Estifanos’s noble bloodline also flows from the Household of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), a sacred convergence of royal and prophetic descent.
From this dual legacy, Solomonic and Prophetic, Prince Estifanos draws his sense of duty, vision, and purpose. His lineage is not merely a record of ancestry; it is a living covenant with history, a call to serve humanity, to uplift his people, and to carry forward the eternal light of Ethiopia’s destiny within Africa and the world.
EARLY BEGINNINGS
From a young age, His Imperial Highness Prince Estifanos Matewos demonstrated an extraordinary aptitude for leadership and enterprise. At just sixteen, he founded his first manufacturing company, laying the foundation for a remarkable journey in business. Guided by a keen intellect and visionary spirit, he has since emerged as one of Africa’s most influential business figures, and the Founder and Chairman of the African Royal Group of Companies, a multimillion-dollar conglomerate that began
with a focus on import, export, and manufacturing.
Under his dynamic leadership, the Group has grown into a diversified empire encompassing defence, energy, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, infrastructure, finance, aviation, and technology. Through his entrepreneurial excellence and strategic foresight, Prince Estifanos has secured his place
among Africa’s most dynamic and transformative business leaders, inspiring a new generation to believe in the power of African innovation and enterprise.
CHAMPION OF AFRICAN UNITY AND PROGRESS
As President of the United Africa Royal Assembly, His Imperial Highness stands among the new generation of African leaders, unifying the continent’s traditional leadership authorities and strengthening Africa’s collective voice on the world stage. Guided by the principle of “African Solutions to African Problems”, His Majesty works hand in hand with Heads of State, governments, and public–private partners to advance human capital development and drive industrial transformation through sustainable manufacturing and value addition.
In recognition of his vision and dedication, Prince Estifanos was appointed in 2023 as African Union Ambassador from the Pan-African Parliament to Member States – A role that amplifies His Majesty’s commitment to peace, progress, and the integration of Africa’s cultural and traditional institutions into its development agenda.
GLOBAL RECOGNITION AND PHILANTHROPY
Through The Royals Foundation, His Imperial Highness extends his compassion and leadership beyond the boardroom, championing initiatives in conflict zones focusing on child and maternal healthcare, nutrition, youth empowerment, and peace-building . His efforts include humanitarian interventions supporting conflict prevention and crisis response.
Prince Estifanos’s philanthropy and service have earned wide acclaim. In 2019, he was recognized as the Youngest African Diplomat and listed among the 50 Most Reputable African Business Leaders. A year earlier, in 2018, he was honored as an Ambassador of Peace for Africa, later ranking among the Top 10 Young African Business Leaders, distinctions that affirm his unwavering commitment to humanity and to Africa’s renaissance.
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP IN AFRICA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH
Beyond his royal and diplomatic engagements, Prince Estifanos is esteemed for his expertise in economic development, investment strategy, and military defence. His collaborations with both current and former African Heads of State have been instrumental in fostering peace, stability, and prosperity across the continent. As a strategic advisor and advocate for peacekeeping missions, he continues to champion economic diplomacy and public-private partnerships.
A HUMBLE CULTURAL AMBASSADOR
Despite his many achievements, His Imperial Highness Prince Estifanos Matewos remains deeply rooted in humility and faith. A devoted follower of Jesus and a proud son of Ethiopia, he embodies the values of compassion, service, and integrity. As a cultural ambassador, he celebrates Africa’s rich heritage and timeless traditions, sharing with the world the depth, dignity, and resilience of African people and traditions.
Grounded in his Amhara heritage and inspired by his divine lineage, His Imperial Highness continues to serve with grace, wisdom, and purpose, a leader devoted to the unity, dignity, and the hopeful future of Africa.
